Chicago boy, 11, is knifed to death while trying to protect 33-weeks pregnant mom 'from her serial-abuser ex-boyfriend' who'd been freed from jail a DAY earlier

An 11-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Chicago while trying to protect his 33-weeks pregnant mother from her 'abusive ex-boyfriend'.

Suspect Crosetti Brand, 37, was charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in connection with the fatal stabbing on Wednesday that took the life of Jayden Perkins and left his mother, Laterria Smith, in critical condition. 

Brand was Smith's ex-boyfriend and on parole after being sentenced to 16 years in prison for a home invasion. 

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said that Brand had been released on parole just one day before the attack.

11-year-old Jayden Perkins was stabbed to death trying to protect his pregnant mother 

The suspect in custody, Crosetti Brand, 37, has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in connection with the fatal stabbing

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said Brand was released on parole the day before he carried out the attack

Smith had an order of protection against the suspect 20 years prior to Wednesday's attack for repeatedly threatening and attacking her and her mother

Pictured: Neighbors embracing each other as they grieve the death of Jayden Perkins

Pictured: Cops outside the family's apartment complex, investigating the crime scene

Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx said the boy died from a stab wound to the chest while trying to protect his mother on Wednesday morning. 

Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti said in a press conference that Brand was 'paroled and placed on electronic monitoring last October'. 

'While he was on parole, he threatened the female victim via text and also showed up at her home. 

'He was sent back to prison in February for this parole violation.' 

Smith had an order of protection against the suspect 20 years prior to Wednesday's attack for repeatedly threatening and attacking her and her mother, per a motion filed by prosecutors in an unrelated case.

His abuse allegedly began in September 2006 after Smith broke up with the suspect. Brand came to her house and threatened her with a gun, firing it in the hallway before leaving.

Brand continued to harass the family, throwing rocks at their window and calling them obsessively. Two years after the breakup, he reportedly punched the mother at a bus stop for dating someone else. 

A neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, said Smith also had a five-year-old son, Perkins' brother, and lived in the complex with her fiancé.

The mother of three told the Chicago Tribune that her sister had heard screaming coming from the apartment.

In addition to murder Brand has also been charged with three counts of home invasion with a dangerous weapon, one count of armed robbery with a dangerous weapon, one count of aggravated domestic battery, one count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, one count of violation of a prior order of protection and one issuance of a warrant for a parole violation. 

A vigil was held outside the apartment complex Thursday

'No one can replace him. No one can take his place,' Perkins' friend Alexis Perez said.

A fundraiser has been made to support Perkins' family during this time

Neighbors held a vigil for Perkins Thursday outside the apartment complex.

'No one can replace him. No one can take his place,' Perkins' friend Alexis Perez told local ABC affiliate WLS.'

'He's the kindest, trustworthy friend you could probably ever ask for,' Perkins' friend Nathaniel Vodak, 12, told WLS.

A fundraiser has been made to support the victim's family during this time, which had raised over $27,000 as of Friday afternoon.